"We are not building up our arsenal. This is once again confirmed by our official representatives. The strategic offensive arms treaty between Russia and the United States is in effect until 2026, where the corresponding levels are fixed. We are guided by them, at least while this treaty is in effect. We suspended our participation in it, but said that we will comply with the levels and exchange certain types of information with the Americans," Lavrov said at a press conference after his address to the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
Furthermore, the Russian minister stressed that Moscow does not see Israel's desire to fulfill any peace plans on the Middle East conflict settlement.
"I do not see any desire on the part of Israel to implement any peace plans," Lavrov told the press.
It is necessary to understand what will be the concrete content of the initiative of China and Brazil to create the Friends of the World platform to settle the Ukraine conflict, Lavrov said.
"We discussed their plans at the previous stage in contacts with my colleagues. I asked what the concrete content of the initiative would be. Because all the words in the six Chinese-Brazilian points are correct: calls for peace, calls for justice, fulfillment of international law. Nobody argues with that. But no one has told me yet exactly how they plan to move toward peace. I know that this issue is still under consideration," he elaborated.
Russia is ready to help the platform and was surprised by the participation of France and Switzerland in its first meeting, Lavrov added.